Getting from Venice airport into Venice by boat
 

Has anyone taken the water boat from the Venice airport into the city? I think it takes about 90 minutes. We don't really want to take the train from airport to Venice because we'll have to take the Vaporetto from the train station anyway. We might be up for a long leisurely ride down the Grand Canal which is what I think this mode of transport offers.
I've researched it online - I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with it - is it easy to catch? Are there any hang-ups? Thanks

I've not take it, but here's the link to the Alilaguna Airport-Venice boat service.

http://www.alilaguna.it/index.en.html

From what I understand it really couldn't be any easier - you walk out of the airport and follow signs for the Alilaguna boats.

There is no "water boat". There is a water taxi - private, will hold up to about 8 people with luggage and big$. There is Alliguna which is a sort of water bus - way more people plus all their luggage.

You need to figure out where your hotel is versus the Alliguna stops - if that's what you intend - to figure out how far you would them have to tow your luggage to the hotel (and over how many bridges).

Neither the Alilaguna nor a water taxi will give you a "long leisurely ride down the Grand Canal." Instead you will get a long leisurely ride across the Venetian lagoon and around the circumference of the island, traveling on the Grand Canal for as brief a time as your route will allow.

Both boat choices leave from the same dock. A water taxi will take you directly to your hotel, or as close as possible. The Alilaguna stops at set locations, which may or may not be near your hotel.

FYI, the train does not connect the airport and Venice. There are bus connections between the airport and Piazzale Roma in Venice. From there you would take a vaporetto.

Take the bus to Piazzale Roma and then the vaporetto down the Grand canal----forget the boats from the airport.

We have taken the Alilaguna from the airport to San Marco many times. We think it is a perfect way to enter Venice. It is lovely to ride in a boat past all the islands and see Venice in the distance. It is a very different experience from going down the Grand Canal. Do that later after you are settled in your hotel.

THanks. We've been to Venice before, having taken the train from Milan - I didn't realize you had to take a bus from the airport to get to the train station. Our hotel is near San Marco. I agree with Saraho - I've heard it's magical to see this ancient city looming up out of the water. I think I'll give it a try and hopefully we won't lose our luggage or anything. I think the red line stops at San marco.

Yocsak,

I think you are making the right decision to take the water taxi, as saharo stated it is the perfect way to enter Venice. We paid €100 and it was worth it.

Now you are making me jealous. I want to go back. Have a great time!

Yocsak has chosen NOT to take a water taxi, but rather to take the Alilaguna water bus (13€ per person) to the San Marco stop.

I'm going to disagree with bob: If your hotel is near San Marco, take the Alilaguna. I can't see lugging your bags to the bus, then lugging them again to the vaporetto, which is no fun if it's crowded.

To take the Alilaguna, turn left outside the airport and follow the walkway to the dock -- takes about 10 minutes. You can buy your ticket there at the dock.

One note: You don't mention how many in your party. If it's a large group, consider taking the water taxi and splitting the cost: about 90 euros total.

But, they wanted to meander down the Grand Canal.

I've been looking for the best way to get from Marco Polo Airport into Venice (S.Marco stop) as well. Has anyone had any experience with the 'new' Airport Link IN shared transfer? I found it on the VeniceLink.com website which sells the Alilaguna tickets online. It sounds like a private water taxi where you are organised into a group of 2-8 people, each paying 29euro for a quicker trip into San Marco. They stop at some hotels and close to others. Any feedback good or bad?

One thing about the Alilaguna - I don't think it runs as frequently as the bus to Piazzale Roma and it is more leisurely (takes longer). But if your hotel is near San Marco and the Alilaguna stops near there it is probably more convenient than the bus to the vaporetta option. Our first visit to Venice we arrived by the Alilaguna and IMO its a great was to approach the city. You really get the sense of the city floating in this vast lagoon - one of the most unique places on the planet.

Ten years ago we went to Venice for the first time. I was advised by the Fodorites to splurge and take the water into Venice. It was the best advice I have ever been given on these boards It was magical. It is a vivid memory to this day. I recommend that everyone take the water taxi into Venice from the airport the first time they go to Venice.

The Alilaguna lines and fares have recently changed, so beware of information as recent as a month ago, which may not be valid any more.
The Red line now goes only as far as Lido.
The Blue line has increased its frequency to make up for it.
The Orange line comes in the Canale di Cannaregio and runs a good portion of the Grand Canal as far as San Marco as well now, with increased frequency also.
Base fare to most of the Venice stops is now €15, though the Alilaguna website has not been updated on all the pages.
The Alilaguna boats are not particularly good for sightseeing, but coming into the city by water is much more impressive than arriving by bus and transferring to vaporetto.
The bus/vaporetto combination is generally faster, depending on the area of San Marco where you are staying, and if you are planning on getting a vaporetto pass (the ACTV time based "Tourist Travel Card") it is infinitely cheaper as well, as both the n°5 ACTV bus and all ACTV vaporettos are included.